MX discount...

".. is something of a red herring .." Totally agree!

For any long exposure imaging, the vast majority are going to be using a CCD with FW and capture software along with autoguiding. Even using a DSLR, most will use capture software. In my mind,
anyone purchasing a mount in this class would be looking to do AP exclusively.

I too agree with M13 Observer too. AP for instance, wow their customer service is impeccable!

When it comes to AP vs SB I think the best attitude to have is to agree to disagree

".. is something of a red herring .." Totally agree!

For any long exposure imaging, the vast majority are going to be using a CCD with FW and capture software along with autoguiding. Even using a DSLR, most will use capture software. In my mind,
anyone purchasing a mount in this class would be looking to do AP exclusively.

Purty much. I wouldn't think of imaging with my DSLR without Nebulosity. So much easier.

Sure, you can directly guide via the guider input as you suggest. The polar alignment scope is a little clunky but it does do the job. So yeah, you could do the dumb mount thing. It should be noted that while SB is a bit late they are planning on releasing an ipad version of TSX for complete mount control including Tpoint. Android has been mentioned as well so that could be a pretty appealing setup too.

Clear skies,
Bill

SB is working on an ipad version of TSX. They are a bit late though.

I have used splashtop a bit and it works pretty well to remotely "drive" via the connected laptop but it's less easy to work with MaximDL this way. I prefer a more traditional vnc or remote desktop solution. The opengl stuff is a little annoying but it's doable. Haven't given SkySafari a try.

Clear skies,
Bill

not if you're using an SG-4 or similar... i'm thinking of the SG-4 + DSLR combination for hassle-free imaging.

Maybe if you've got a standalone guider, which not many people do. OTHERWISE, you won't be guiding even ST4 style without a computer. You will have PHD, or Maxim, or CCDsoft running on a PC to allow you to guide. Some of the standalone autoguiders can work, but not a cotton picking one of them works as well as good old PHD and a computer. The computer is something of a red herring in my mind, anyway. A netbook is actually more portable and easier to use than some dadgum standalone autoguider.

I'd stack my STV up against just Aout Nything for accuracy... And it's way, way faster than any pc based approach... Generally I'm guiding before my pc has finished booting and the camera has reached temp!

You can get an STV used now for a steal price wise... Is it as portable as a netbook or laptop? No. But, unlike software based solutions, it is basically a hardware urn key appliance. I like that.

That said, the MX is on my desire list, after all my STV will guide it just fine...

Bill, the ipad version of TSX... it will be truly stand alone and not just talking to a PC?

that sounds interesting.... not that i'm in a position to buy an MX

btw i use maximdl with my Mach1 and i can remotely drive it with VNC. there is a VNC client for both ipad and android... have used both. works fine. doesn't eliminate the PC running maximdl though.

Stand alone version for the iPad, no laptop required. I think the threads on the SB forums were back in July or so. Not sure how "full" a version but it sounds like there's some TPoint capability so it could be pretty useful or at least it sounds like it could address complaints about the lack of a fully functional hand controller. Personally I don't really see a great deal of utility but I have taken my PMX out for purely visual use with friends a couple of times and slew-hopped without a laptop and it was fun enough. I guess I would buy an android version but they were pretty clear that iPad will come first.

I do the same (prefer Splashtop though) for monitoring imaging runs from the house with a tablet. TSX works surprisingly well with a touch interface but the smaller dialogs and number of them with MaximDL really screams for a mouse and keyboard so I generally use a desktop and remote in when it's chilly or I'm watching a game and am messing around rather than running a scripted session.

Clear skies,
Bill

Had to chime in - I've had my MX for just under a year now, and I setup/breakdown remotely each and every time. From the time of my first slew in building a t-point model to imaging for me is about 15 minutes. I normally do 2 or 3 iterations of 18 point models. The mount is *extremely* portable at 50 lbs, so whoever said it's not portable maybe has never seen or lifted one. I've taken exactly 1190 light subs since I've owned it and 1189 are perfect keepers. That speaks for itself. I had a CGEM for 10 months, then a CGE-Pro for 1.5 years before the MX, and the MX is just a beautiful piece of machinery.

The first 11 (reverse chronological) images on this page were with the MX, the rest the Pro:

http://www.silvren.com/AP/pictures/

Jeff

I'd stack my STV up against just Aout Nything for accuracy... And it's way, way faster than any pc based approach... Generally I'm guiding before my pc has finished booting and the camera has reached temp!

You can get an STV used now for a steal price wise... Is it as portable as a netbook or laptop? No. But, unlike software based solutions, it is basically a hardware urn key appliance. I like that.

That said, the MX is on my desire list, after all my STV will guide it just fine...

Well, the problem is that it's not made anymore and hasn't been for a long time. Didn't much like that itsy-bitsy screen, either.

I won't pretend to know why you need to make a pointing model with this mount but...I would like to comment that it would sure be nice if you could buy a mount of this caliber with a decent hand controller like on my iEQ45 or CG-5 .

I won't pretend to know why you need to make a pointing model with this mount but...I would like to comment that it would sure be nice if you could buy a mount of this caliber with a decent hand controller like on my iEQ45 or CG-5 .

I've thought the same thing for years.

Because then they cant lock you into their software for years to come.

Just think how much they make out of each upgrade and assume each user will upgrade a couple of times during the product life cycle.

Hi Hilmi,

The software (TSX Pro, TPoint add-on, camera add-on) is included in the mount purchase. The subscription model basically boils down to $75/year after the first year for TheSkyX support and upgrades. If you choose not to renew the subscription the software is of course still licensed and will continue to work. New features are being added frequently but there's no requirement to "upgrade" to use the mount/software but the cost of renewal seems pretty reasonable to me given the constant development and responsive support.

Clear skies,
Bill

I never said the cost isn't reasonable, but do think about it, over the life time of the mount, it continues to generate revenue through subscriptions and upgrades. It's a great business model. Microsoft has been trying to move users to subscription based fee for years with no success.

The MX can *only* be driven by TheSkyX. There are many astronomy programs that use ASCOM and/or run on other devices and using ASCOM - these will not work with MX. That can be a limitation/issue for some.

The MX can *only* be driven by TheSkyX. There are many astronomy programs that use ASCOM and/or run on other devices and using ASCOM - these will not work with MX. That can be a limitation/issue for some.

Considering that the purchase price includes all the software needed and that it's compatible with Mac and Windows, I don't see why this would be an issue other than those mentioned about being tied to a computer.

David

The MX can *only* be driven by TheSkyX. There are many astronomy programs that use ASCOM and/or run on other devices and using ASCOM - these will not work with MX. That can be a limitation/issue for some.

Considering that the purchase price includes all the software needed and that it's compatible with Mac and Windows, I don't see why this would be an issue other than those mentioned about being tied to a computer.

David

I am among those who selected TheSky6 as my primary telescope control software years ago but don't own a Bisque mount so I had to purchase it. It was a good investment. I have used quite a few ASCOM-compatible programs along with it, and have never found one that didn't work with TheSky6 and a TheSky-controlled telescope. It interfaces nicely with them all Unless there's a new defect in TheSkyX, the limitation claimed above isn't valid.

I think both Celestron and Meade have versions of their hand controllers that have all the computer stuff inside the HC itself. All that is left to do is to have someone develop a little module that you plug the one of those HC's into and then plug that module into the PMX. The module will interpret the commands into Paramount-speak.

Licensing issues aside, I think that would be a nice item.

It interfaces nicely with them all Unless there's a new defect in TheSkyX, the limitation claimed above isn't valid.

The point was not about software, but about PMX hardware. The limitation could arise if someone wants to use a device using some other planetarium or any other application that uses ASCOM to talk to mounts. They can't do it unless its TheSkyX.
You are benefiting from the fact that your mount can be controlled by the application you chose. You are using ASCOM driver or software written to work with TheSky6 for your mount. My point is that is an advantage when it comes to mounts - being able to talk ASCOM.

I believe TheSkyX has an ASCOM shim...

Sure, the X2 interface, but I am not talking about SkyX. I am talking about PMX. It is tied to SkyX and cannot be driven standalone by any other ASCOM applications or devices.

that was also my earlier point... the PMX is married to a PC... that runs TheSkyX. no way around that.

The point was not about software, but about PMX hardware. The limitation could arise if someone wants to use a device using some other planetarium or any other application that uses ASCOM to talk to mounts. They can't do it unless its TheSkyX.
You are benefiting from the fact that your mount can be controlled by the application you chose. You are using ASCOM driver or software written to work with TheSky6 for your mount. My point is that is an advantage when it comes to mounts - being able to talk ASCOM.

If I believed that that my current software configuration wouldn't operate a Bisque mount then I would accept that you are more familiar with my software and its setup than I. I know of others using precisely the same software with a PME, though, so I decline to make that leap.